Elfreida Matilda Blair

Elfreida was born November 29, 1919 in Springfield, Illinois to Matilda and Fredrick Roberts. Elfreida married James W. Bartlett in 1938, until his death. In 1956, she married Merl A. Blair in Akron, Kansas. She was a long time employee of the shoe factory in Springfield and after leaving, became long time employee of the Springfield School District until her retirement. Elfreida enjoyed playing cards, traveling, crocheting, canning, motorcycle riding, and in the last few years, lunching at MCL Cafeteria. She was Bluebell of the Crystal Busters’ CB club, a member of the Living Waters Church, and a onetime member of First Assembly of God. She loved laughing with family and friends, telling stories about her father’s family in England, and about her sisters and brothers whom she dearly loved.

Elfreida was preceded in death by her husbands, James Bartlett (1954) and Merl Blair (2003); daughter, Dorothy Fagg; sons, James Bartlett and Gene Blair; sisters, Emily Grobielnick Flood and Velma Montgomery; brothers, Harry Roberts, Roy Roberts, Fredrick Roberts Jr., Frank Roberts, and John Roberts. She is survived by her sister, Ada Walker (AZ), son-in-law, Alfred Fagg Sr.; daughter, Bonnie Bambrough; daughter-in-law, Patricia Blair (and family); son Alan Blair (and family); nephews, Charlie (Lutrelle) Roberts and Fred Roberts; nieces, Ruth Ann Smith and Margie Lee Creel, many more nieces, nephews, and cousins; grandchildren, Dorothy (Kevin) Taylor, Alfred Fagg Jr., Tanya (Mark) Roberts, Nancy (Bill) Thomas, Patty (Dave) Stelle, Lorri Fagg, Michelle (Chris) Swisegood, Theresa Bambrough; great-grandchildren, Kristopher, Kirsten, Patrick, Landon, Olivia (Kyle), Hannah, Michael, Kyle, Angelina, Nicholaus, Jason, Jacob, Andrew, Natalie, Liam, Russell, and several great-great grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 12:30pm on Monday April 25, 2016 at Bisch Funeral Home West, 2931 Koke Mill Road, with burial to follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery. The family will meet friends from 11:00am until the time of service Monday at Bisch West. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and please visit the online “Life Remembered Story” at www.bischfuneralhomewest.com.